Starting a Law Firm - Getting Things Done

One of the things that is imperative when starting a law firm is to consistently get the things done that you need to get done. At some point, the excitement of being your own boss and making your own decisions will wear off, and the reality of needing to get clients and earn income, while running a business, will set in. For this installment of how to start a law firm, I want to talk about the "to do list."

You may already have a detailed business plan or you may be a fly by the seat of the pants type person. But at some point, you need to sit down and lay out the things that you have to get done. For that, I am a firm believer in the to do list. Each evening, I write a list for the next day of things I would like to accomplish. I prioritize each item with an A, B, or C, and make sure I get the top priority items finished. If some of the lower priority items don't get finished, I roll them over to the next day's to do list. It is also important to check off the things that you get done, so you know you are accomplishing things.

The key for the to do list is to be specific. Don't just write that you need to research accountants, or work on your marketing. Include tangible goals, with action words. For example, "call John Doe, CPA," or "invite three attorneys to lunch," or "post to how to start a small law firm blog."

Above all, just keep doing things. Don't get discouraged. Keep moving forward with your plan. Keep checking items off your to do list. Eventually, when you get your first client, or unlock your own office for the first time, it will all be worth it.